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Seismic Imaging of Salt-influenced Compressional Folds
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 78th EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2016, May 2016, Volume 2016, p.1 - 3
Abstract
Fold-and-thrust belts (FTB) detaching on salt can develop hydrocarbon structural traps. However, seismic data do not allow a reliable understanding of the FTB internal structures and properties. A methodology is proposed to assess the impact of FTB deformation on seismic. The FTB is mechanically modeled using a discrete element method (DEM), finite strain in the DEM is used to update the base seismic properties of the model, and a ray-based prestack depth migration (PSDM) algorithm is used to produce a seismic image of the structure. This workflow is illustrated in a 2D DEM model, which consists of a brittle (siliciclastic)-ductile (salt) sequence under imposed shortening, which initiates and propagates thrust faulting through the siliciclastic sequence. Seismic images are simulated for the brittle cover (interlayered sequence of sandstone and shale) for two different wave frequencies of 10Hz and 30Hz. At higher frequency (30Hz) the complexity of the larger thrust faults can be better represented than at the lower 10Hz frequency image. Acquisition and processing parameters can be evaluated for better seismic imaging of salt-influenced compressional folds.